About
Animal Facts
Common Name:
Elk
Scientific Name:
Cervus canadensis
Behavior:
  • Wapiti (elk) are very social, living in huge herds.
  • • During seasonal migrations, smaller herds come together to form larger herds that can travel hundreds of miles.
  • Fights between males over females can be intense.
Diet:
Herbivore
Height:
4.5 ft
Weight:
600 lb
Length:
6.5 ft
Life Span:
10 yrs
Gestation Period:
250 days
Number of Young:
1
Habitats:
  • Grassland
  • Shrubland
Fun Facts:
  • Males will "bugle" to attract females.
  • Herds can be found at a variety of elevations.
  • Newborn elk calves are reddish brown with white spots.
  • Females are smaller than males.
Threats:
  • Habitat Loss
  • Poaching / Over Consumption
Endangered Status
Endangered Status
  • Extinct in Wild (EW)
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Least Concern (LC)
  • Not Evaluated (NE)

The elk herd voluntarily moves off their 13-acre habitat into a large barn. This allows keepers to get a closer look at them and target individuals for medical care. At those times, horticulture and maintenance staff can safely enter the habitat to care for the plants or make repairs.